Information providing system, information processing apparatus and method, and information providing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an information providing system, information processing apparatus and method, and information providing apparatus and method, adapted to suppress broadcast contents from being utilized unduly. A digital broadcast receiver  4  receives network contents from a contents server  9.  These network contents are making reference to broadcast contents sent on the air by broadcast station  1 - 1, 1 - 2.  The broadcast contents broadcast by the broadcast station  1 - 1, 1 - 2  has a broadcast wave BIT containing the address information of an authentication information server  10.  The digital broadcast receiver  4  accesses the authentication information server  10  on the basis of the address information, and requests for an authentication on whether or not a reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents is allowed. According to the authentication result, the digital broadcast receiver  4  controls a reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents. The present invention is applicable to a television receiver connectable to the Internet.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system, information processing apparatus and method, and information providing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an information providing system, information processing apparatus and method, and information providing apparatus and method adapted to suppress broadcast contents from being utilized unduly.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, with the spread of the Internet, data contents are to be received through the Internet by placing various information appliances in connection to the Internet.

[0003] For example, by adding the digital television receiver with an Internet connection function, the digital television receiver is enabled to receive and display not only data contents but also a digital television signal (stream data) sent on the air through the satellite.

[0004] However, in case the digital television receiver is added with an Internet-connecting function, by making the network contents received via the Internet refer to a program under television broadcast (broadcast contents), a television picture as broadcast contents made reference to by the network content can be displayed simultaneously while displaying the network contents on the screen.

[0005] As a result, there is a fear that the broadcast contents be unduly made reference to by the network contents, raising a threat to the copyright of broadcast contents.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention, made in view of such a situation, is to suppress information from being utilized unduly thereby achieving to correctly utilizing information.

[0007] An information providing system of the present invention is characterized by: the first information providing apparatus providing the information processing apparatus with the first information for making reference to the second information; the information processing apparatus receiving the first information from the first information providing apparatus, receiving the second information being made reference to by the received first information from the second information providing apparatus, extracting address information for accessing the third information providing apparatus from the received second information, accessing the third information providing apparatus on the basis of the extracted address information and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information, and controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information according to the received determination result; the third information providing apparatus holding the authentication information, making a determination based on the held authentication information when accessed from the information processing apparatus and providing the determination result to the information processing apparatus.

[0008] The first information providing apparatus can provide network contents as the first information through the Internet, while the second information providing apparatus provides broadcast contents as the second information by broadcast.

[0009] The second information providing apparatus can include the address information in a BIT of a broadcast signal for broadcasting the broadcast contents.

[0010] The third information providing apparatus can provide a list of the second information allowed for a reference by the first information as the determination result.

[0011] The third information providing apparatus can provide information representative of whether or not a reference to the second information by the first information is allowed as the determination result.

[0012] The information processing apparatus can access the third information providing apparatus through the Internet, on the basis of the extracted address information.

[0013] The first information providing method of the invention is characterized by: the first information providing apparatus providing the information processing apparatus with the first information for making reference to the second information; the information processing apparatus receiving the first information from the first information providing apparatus, receiving the second information being made reference to by the received first information from the second information providing apparatus, extracting address information for accessing the third information providing apparatus from the received second information, accessing the third information providing apparatus on the basis of the extracted address information and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information, and controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information according to the received determination result; the third information providing apparatus holding the authentication information, making a determination based on the held authentication information when accessed from the information processing apparatus and providing the determination result to the information processing apparatus.

[0014] An information processing apparatus of the invention is characterized by comprising: first receiving means for receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; second receiving means for receiving second information being made reference to by the first information received by the first receiving means, from a second information providing apparatus; extracting means for extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from the second information received by the second receiving means; third receiving means for accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to the second information by the first information on the basis of the address information extracted by the extracting means, and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information; and control means for controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information, according to the determination result received by the third receiving means.

[0015] The first receiving means can receive network contents provided by the first information providing apparatus through the Internet as the first information,, while the second receiving means can receive broadcast contents broadcast by the second information providing apparatus as the second information.

[0016] The extracting means can extract the address information from a BIT of a broadcast signal of the broadcast contents broadcast by the second information providing apparatus.

[0017] The third receiving means can receive a list of the second information allowed for a reference by the first information, from the third information providing apparatus as the determination result.

[0018] The third receiving means can receive information representative of whether or not a reference to the second information by the first information is allowed, from the third information providing apparatus as the determination result.

[0019] The third receiving means can receive a determination result provided by the third information providing apparatus through the Internet.

[0020] An information processing apparatus of the invention can further comprise display control means for displaying the second information received by the second receiving means simultaneously with the first information received by the first receiving means, according to the determination result received by the third receiving means.

[0021] An information processing apparatus of the invention can further comprise display control means for simultaneously displaying the network contents received by the first receiving means and the broadcast contents received by the second receiving means being made reference to by the network contents, on a same screen according to the determination result received by the third receiving means.

[0022] An information processing method of the invention comprises: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by the first information received by a process of the first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from the second information received by a process of the second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to the second information by the first information, on the basis of the address information extracted by a process of the extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information, according to the determination result received by a process of the third receiving step.

[0023] A first recording medium program of the invention comprises: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by the first information received by a process of the first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from the second information received by a process of the second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to the second information by the first information, on the basis of the address information extracted by a process of the extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information, according to the determination result received by a process of the third receiving step.

[0024] A first program of the invention is characterized by making a computer to execute a process, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by the first information received by a process of the first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from the second information received by a process of the second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to the second information by the first information, on the basis of the address information extracted by a process of the extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on the authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to the second information based on the first information, according to the determination result received by a process of the third receiving step.

[0025] An information providing apparatus of the invention is characterized by comprising: holding means for holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; accepting means for accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing the first information and the second information; determining means for making a determination based on the authentication information held by the holding means when an access from the information processing apparatus is accepted by the accepting means; and transmitting means for transmitting a determination result by the determining means to the information processing apparatus.

[0026] The accepting means can accept an access from the information processing apparatus through the Internet.

[0027] The first information can be network contents to be provided through the Internet, while the second information can be broadcast contents to be provided by broadcast.

[0028] A broadcast signal for broadcasting the broadcast contents can include address information for accessing the information providing apparatus in a BIT thereof.

[0029] The transmitting means can transmit a list of the second information allowed for a reference by the first information as the determination result.

[0030] The transmitting means can transmit information representative of whether or not a reference to the second information by the first information is allowed as the determination result.

[0031] A second information providing method of the invention is characterized by comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing the first information and the second information; a determining step of making a determination based on the authentication information held by a process of the holding step when an access from the information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of the accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of the determining step to the information processing apparatus.

[0032] A second recording medium program of the invention is characterized by comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing the first information and the second information; a determining step of making a determination based on the authentication information held by a process of the holding step when an access from the information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of the accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of the determining step to the information processing apparatus.

[0033] A second program of the invention is characterized by making a computer to execute a process comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing the first information and the second information; a determining step of making a determination based on the authentication information held by a process of the holding step when an access from the information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of the accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of the determining step to the information processing apparatus.

[0034] In the information providing system and information providing method of the present invention, the first information providing apparatus provides first information making reference to second information to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus receives second information being made reference to by the received first information from the second information providing apparatus, extracts address information for accessing the third information providing apparatus from the second information, accesses the third information providing apparatus on the basis of the address information and receives a determination result based on authentication information. The third information providing apparatus holds authentication information, which, when accessed from the information processing apparatus, makes a determination based on the authentication information and provides a determination result to the information processing apparatus.

[0035] In the information processing apparatus, method and program of the present invention, second information being made reference to by first information received from the first information providing apparatus is received from a second information providing apparatus, to extract address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from the second information. Based on the extracted address information, the third information providing apparatus is accessed to receive a determination result. According to the determination result, the reference to the second information based on the first information is controlled.

[0036] In the information providing apparatus, method and program of the present invention, authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to the second information by the first information is held. When an access from the information processing apparatus is accepted, a determination based on authentication information is made to send a determination result to the information processing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is a figure showing a configuration of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied.

[0038]FIG. 2A is a figure showing a display example that network contents and broadcast contents are displayed simultaneously on the same screen.

[0039]FIG. 2B is a figure showing a display example that network contents are displayed.

[0040]FIG. 2C is a figure showing a display example that broadcast contents are displayed.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. 1.

[0042]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the authentication information server of FIG. 1.

[0043]FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a BIT.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the process of the authentication information server of FIG. 1.

[0046]FIG. 8 is a figure showing an example of network contents list.

[0047]FIG. 9 is a figure showing an example of a CGI argument.

[0048]FIG. 10 is a figure showing an example of an authentication result.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0049]FIG. 1 represents a configuration of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied. A broadcast station 1-1, at its radio tower 2-1, sends broadcast contents on air to households. Each household receives the broadcast contents by a digital broadcast receiver 4 through an antenna 3.

[0050] Likewise, a broadcast station 1-2 at its parabolic antenna 2-2 puts broadcast contents on air to households through a satellite 6. In each household, the digital broadcast receiver 4 receives the broadcast contents through a parabolic antenna 7.

[0051] The digital broadcast receiver 4 outputs the broadcast contents received through the antenna 3 or parabolic antenna 7 to a monitor 5, making a display thereon. Due to this, as shown in FIG. 2C for example, broadcast contents BC picture is to be displayed on the monitor 5.

[0052] A contents server 9 has a contents database 9A, to distribute the network contents held in the contents database 9A to households through the Internet 8. In each household, the network contents are received by the digital broadcast receiver 4 and outputted to and displayed on the monitor 5. FIG. 2B represents a display example that display is made on the monitor 5 in such a case. In this display example, network contents NC are effected on the monitor 5.

[0053] The network contents held by the contents server 9 makes reference to broadcast contents sent on the air by the broadcast station 1-1 or the broadcast station 1-2, as required. In the case that the network contents are making reference to broadcast contents, the network contents NC and the broadcast contents BC are simultaneously displayed on the same screen of the monitor 5, as shown in FIG. 2A for example.

[0054] An authentication information server 10 has an authentication information database 10A. The authentication information database 10A holds authentication information as information representative of whether or not network contents are allowed to make reference to broadcast contents. This authentication information server 10 is connected to the Internet 8 so that it carries out an authentication process at the request of the digital broadcast receiver 4 and sends an authentication result to the digital broadcast receiver 4. The address information, required for the digital broadcast receiver 4 to access the authentication information server 10 through the Internet 8, is added on a BIT (Broadcaster Information Table) of a broadcast wave sending on the air broadcast contents broadcast by the broadcast station 1-1, 1-2.

[0055]FIG. 3 represents a hardware basic configuration of the digital broadcast receiver 4. A tuner 41 receives a broadcast signal from the radio tower 2-1 or satellite 6 through the antenna 3 or parabolic antenna 7, and outputs a reception signal to a BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) demodulator 42. The BPSK demodulator 42 demodulates the reception signal BPSK from the tuner 41 and outputs a demodulated signal to a transport stream (TS) decoding section 43.

[0056] The TS decoding section 43 extracts the video data and audio data of a predetermined channel instructed by a CPU 52, from the transport-stream demodulated signal inputted from the BPSK demodulator 42 through a system bus 47, and outputs the video data to a video decoding section 45 and the audio data to an audio decoding section 44.

[0057] The video decoding section 45 decodes the inputted video data based on an MPEG 2 scheme and outputs it to a presentation processing section 46. The presentation processing section 46 combines, as required, the video data inputted from the video decoding section 45 with the data of data contents supplied from the CPU 52 through the system bus 47, thus making an output and display onto the monitor 5.

[0058] The audio decoding section 44 decodes the audio data inputted from the TS decoding section 43 and outputs it to a speaker (not shown).

[0059] An input/output (I/O) interface 48, when inputted by an operating signal from a remote controller 31, supplies it to the CPU 52 through the system bus 47.

[0060] The CPU 52 carries out various processes according to the program stored in a ROM 50. To a RAM 51, is suitably stored a program or data required for the CPU 52 to execute various processes. To an NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 49, is suitably stored the data to be necessarily stored still after a digital television receiver 7 is powered off. A network interface 53 executes an interface process to the Internet 8.

[0061] The network interface 53, having a modem 53A and a modem 53B, is always connected to the network 8 by the modem 53A. The modem 53B is used when connected to a network other than the Internet 8.

[0062]FIG. 4 represents a configuration example of the authentication information server 10. In FIG. 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71 carries out various processes according to the program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 or the program loaded from a storage section 78 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73. To the RAM 73, is suitably stored the data required for the CPU 71 to execute various processes.

[0063] The CPU 71, the ROM 72 and the RAM 73 are connected one with another by way of the bus 74. This bus 74 is connected also with an input/output interface 75.

[0064] The input/output interface 75 is connected with an input section 76 configured by a keyboard, a mouse or the like, a display made by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal display) or the like, an output section 77 made by a speaker or the like, a storage section 78 structured by a hard disk, and a communicating section 79 configured by a modem, a terminal adapter or the like. The communicating section 79 carries out a communication process through a network including the Internet 8.

[0065] The input/output interface 75 is also connected with a drive 80 as required, to be suitably loaded with a magnetic disk 91, an optical disk 92, a magnetooptical disk 93, a semiconductor memory 94 or the like. The computer program read out of those is installed to the storage section 78, as required.

[0066] Now, explanation is made on the processing of the digital broadcast receiver 4 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. At step S11, the CPU 52 of the digital broadcast receiver 4 executes a process to receive network contents instructed by user's operation of the remote controller 31. Namely, the CPU 52 controls the modem 53A to access the contents server 9 through the Internet 8. Then, the CPU 52 requests the contents server 9 to send contents instructed by the user.

[0067] The contents server 9, at the request of this, reads the designated network contents from the contents database 9A and sends it to the digital broadcast receiver 4 through the Internet 8. The CPU 52 of the digital broadcast receiver 4, when received the network contents through the modem 53A, supplies and stores it onto the RAM 51.

[0068] At step S12, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the network contents received at the process of step S11 is making reference to broadcast contents. In the case that the network contents are not made reference to broadcast contents, the process proceeds to step S22 where the CPU 52 executes a process to present the network contents received at the process of step S11. Namely, at this time, the CPU 52 reads out the network contents stored in the RAM 51 and supplies it to the presentation processing section 46 where it is converted into a video signal, thereafter being outputted to and displayed on the monitor 5. In this manner, in this case, the network contents NC are displayed on the monitor 5 as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0069] At step S12, if it is determined that the network contents are making reference to broadcast contents, the process proceeds to step S13 where the CPU 52 executes a process to receive a broadcast wave including the broadcast contents to which reference is being made. Namely, at this time, the CPU 52 controls the tuner 41, and causes the tuner 41 to receive a broadcast signal of a channel that the broadcast contents are on the air which is made reference to by the network contents received at the process of step S11. At step S14, the CPU 52 determines whether the reception process of step S13 has been successful or not. In the case of not successful (in the case a broadcast wave containing a designated broadcast contents could not have been received), the process proceeds to step S22, to execute a process of presenting the network contents. Namely, in this case, because a broadcast wave could not have been received, the network contents NC only are displayed as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0070] At step S14, in the case of a determination that a broadcast wave containing the broadcast contents has been successfully received, the process proceeds to step S15. The CPU 52 waits until a BIT (Broadcast Information Table) is received. This BIT is added on a broadcast wave and to be broadcast from the broadcast station 1-1, 1-2, mainly describing information about a broadcaster.

[0071]FIG. 6 represents a configuration example of the BIT. table_id represents an ID of this BIT. broadcaster_certificate_host_length represents a length of a character string configuring the URI (Uniform Resource Indicator) of the authentication information server holding the authentication information about broadcast contents containing the BIT. The immediately following descriptor is stored therein with a URI character string of the authentication information server (authentication information server 10, in this example). Accordingly, by reading out the descriptor, address information can be obtained which is required for accessing the authentication information server 10 through the Internet 8.

[0072] Accordingly, in the case of a determination at step S15 that a BIT is received, the CPU 52 at step S16 analyzes the BIT. At step S17, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the information of the authentication information server is contained in the BIT, on the basis of a result of analysis. In the case that the descriptor containing the address information of the authentication information server is not contained in the BIT, since the broadcast contents are not allowed for a reference from network contents, the process proceeds to step S22 where the CPU 52 executes a process to present the network contents. Namely, in this case, reference to broadcast contents are prohibited.

[0073] At step S17, in the case of a determination that information of the authentication information server is contained in the BIT, the process proceeds to step S18. The CPU 52 controls the modem 53A on the basis of the address information read out of the BIT descriptor, to access the address thereof through the Internet 8 (access is to the authentication information server 10, in the FIG. 1 example).

[0074] The CPU 52 requests the authentication information server 10 to authenticate the broadcast contents and network contents. Upon the request, the authentication information server 10 makes reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, to make an authentication process on the broadcast contents and network contents in the manner described hereinafter, and sends a result of the authentication (step S44 in FIG. 7).

[0075] At step S19, the CPU 52 of the digital broadcast receiver 4 receives the authentication result from the authentication information server 10 through the modem 53A. At step S20, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the received authentication result allows for making reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents. In the case that reference is not allowed, the process proceeds to step S22 where the CPU 52 executes a process to present only the network contents. Namely, in this case, reference to broadcast contents is prohibited, and the monitor 5 displays only the network contents NC as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0076] At step S21, in the case of a determination that the authentication result allows for a reference, the process proceeds to step S21. The CPU 52 executes a process to display the network contents simultaneously with broadcast contents.

[0077] Namely, at this time, the CPU 52 causes the BPSK demodulator 42 to demodulate the reception signal outputted from the tuner 41, and the TS decoding section 43 to separate it into video data and audio data. The video data is decoded by the video decoding section 45 and supplied to the presentation processing section 46. The presentation processing section 46 combines the video signal of data contents stored in the RAM 51 with the video signal of the broadcast contents supplied from the video decoding section 45, thus making an output and display on the monitor 5. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 2A, the network contents NC and the broadcast contents BC are simultaneously on the same screen.

[0078] Meanwhile, at this time, the audio decoding section 44 decodes the audio data and outputs it through the speaker.

[0079] Now referring to the flowchart of FIG. 7, explanation is made on the process of the authentication information server 10 to be executed correspondingly to the above process of the digital broadcast receiver 4.

[0080] At step S41, the CPU 71 of the authentication information server 10 waits until accessed from the digital broadcast receiver 4 through the communicating section 79. When accessed, the process proceeds to step S42, to receive a request for authenticating network contents and broadcast contents sent from the digital broadcast receiver 4 through the Internet 8 (this request is sent by the process of step S18 of FIG. 5).

[0081] Receiving the request from the digital broadcast receiver 4 through the communicating section 79, the CPU 71 at step S43 carries out an authentication process of the network contents and broadcast contents. Namely, the CPU 71 stores the authentication information needed in authenticating for a reference by the network contents to broadcast contents, in the authentication information database 10A configured in the storage section 78. Based on the authentication information, authentication process is carried out. When an authentication result is obtained, the CPU 71 at step S44 controls the communicating section 79, to send the authentication result to the digital broadcast receiver 4 through the Internet 8. The digital broadcast receiver 4 controls for a reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents according to the authentication result, as stated above (steps S20 to S22 in FIG. 5).

[0082] In the case that the authentication information database 10A stores, as authentication information, a list of the network contents allowed for a reference by broadcast contents to be sent by the broadcast station 1-1, 1-2, the digital broadcast receiver 4 when sending a request process of step S18 in FIG. 5 adds an ID for identifying the broadcast contents to the request. The CPU 71 of the authentication information server 10 searches, from the authentication information database 10A, a list of the network contents allowed for a reference by the broadcast contents identified by the ID. A list of searched network contents is sent, at step S44 of FIG. 7, as an authentication result to the digital broadcast receiver 4.

[0083]FIG. 8 represents a list example of such network contents. In this example, three network contents are described in URI.

[0084] Accordingly, in this case, the CPU 52 of the digital broadcast receiver 4, in a determining process of step S20 of FIG. 5, determines whether or not the network contents received in the process of step S11 is contained in the list of network contents, as an authentication result, received in the process of step S19. In the case that the network contents received in the process of step S11 are contained in the list of network contents received in the process of step S19, determination is made that referring to broadcast contents is allowed based on the network contents. If not contained, determination is made that it is not allowed.

[0085] In this manner, in this example, because a list of network contents is sent as an authentication result, the digital broadcast receiver 4 side is made heavier in determination process. Also, for this reason, there is an increase in amount of the data to be sent from the authentication information server 10 to the digital broadcast receiver 4.

[0086] Accordingly, determination process can be made on the authentication information server 10 side, to send only a conclusion representative of whether authentication is allowed or not from the authentication information server 10 to the digital broadcast receiver 4.

[0087] In this case, for example, the digital broadcast receiver 4 when requesting for authentication at step S18 of FIG. 5 uses a CGI (Common Gateway Interface), to describe network contents URI and broadcast contents URI to an argument thereof.

[0088]FIG. 9 represents an example of a CGI argument in this case. In this example, http://www.sony.co.jp/bmlcontents/dtv_info represents a URI of network contents. The URI of broadcast contents being made reference to by the network contents is arib://0004.0749.0064/51. http://www.bmlcertificate.org represents a URI of the authentication information server 10.

[0089] The CPU 71 of the authentication information server 10, when receiving a URI representative of broadcast contents and a URI representative of network contents from the digital broadcast receiver 4, searches for whether the network contents are allowed to make reference to the broadcast contents, on the basis of the authentication information recorded in the authentication information database 10A. Namely, at this time, the authentication information database 10A has, as authentication information, a list of the network contents that each broadcast content allows for a reference or a list of the broadcast contents that each network content allows for a reference. The CPU 71, in the case that network contents and broadcast contents concerned is registered in this list, sends a response of OK as an authentication result to the digital broadcast receiver 4. In the case not registered, a response of NG authentication result is sent to the digital broadcast receiver 4.

[0090]FIG. 10 represents an example of an authentication result to be sent from the authentication information server 10 to the digital broadcast receiver 4 in this manner. The character OK in the beginning represents that reference is being allowed while http://www.sony.co.jp/bmlcontents/dtv_info/represents a URI of that network contents. In the case of a response of NG authentication result, the character in the beginning is rendered NG.

[0091] Incidentally, by preparing various levels of responses other than OK and NG, processing is made possible in various security levels.

[0092] By registering authentication information based on each user (digital broadcast receiver 4) in the authentication information database 10A besides the authentication information based on each broadcast content or each network content, reference control is made possible on a user-by-user basis (for each digital broadcast receiver 4).

[0093] Incidentally, communication is made possible between the digital broadcast receiver 4 and the authentication information server 10 by utilizing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) as required. Due to this, more stiff protection of contents is made possible.

[0094] In the meanwhile, the foregoing one series of processes, although can be executed on hardware, can be carried out over software. In the case of executing the series of processes on software, the program configuring that software is installed from the network or recording medium onto a computer incorporated in exclusive hardware or, for example, general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by being installed with various programs.

[0095] The recording medium, as shown in FIG. 4, is configured not only by a package media constituted by a program-recorded magnetic disk 91 (including floppy disk), optical disk 92 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magnetooptical disk 93 (including MD (Mini-Disk)) or semiconductor memory 94 distributed for supplying a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, but also by a ROM 72 recording a program or a hard disk included in the storage section 78 provided in a state previously incorporated in the apparatus main body to the user.

[0096] Incidentally, in the present specification, the step describing a program recorded to the recording medium includes, of course a process to be chronologically made along a described order, also a process to be executed in parallel or discretely even if not necessarily to be processed chronologically.

[0097] Meanwhile, in the present specification, system represents the apparatus overall constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

[0098] Industrial Applicability

[0099] As in the above, according to the present invention, the second information can be suppressed from being utilized unduly. 

1. An information providing system comprising an information processing apparatus for receiving first information and second information to be made reference to by said first information, a first information providing apparatus for providing said first information, a second information providing apparatus for providing said second information, and a third information providing apparatus for holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information, said information providing system characterized by: said first information providing apparatus providing said first information for making reference to said second information to said information processing apparatus; said information processing apparatus receiving said first information from said first information providing apparatus, receiving said second information being made reference to by said received first information from said second information providing apparatus, extracting address information for accessing said third information providing apparatus from said received second information, accessing said third information providing apparatus on the basis of said extracted address information and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information, and controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information according to said received determination result; said third information providing apparatus holding said authentication information, making a determination based on said held authentication information when accessed from said information processing apparatus and providing said determination result to said information processing apparatus.
 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said first information providing apparatus provides network contents as said first information through the Internet, said second information providing apparatus providies broadcast contents as said second information by broadcast.
 3. The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein said second information providing apparatus includes said address information in a BIT of a broadcast signal for broadcasting said broadcast contents.
 4. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said third information providing apparatus provides a list of said second information allowed for a reference by said first information as said determination result.
 5. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said third information providing apparatus provides information representative of whether or not a reference to said second information by said first information is allowed as said determination result.
 6. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said information processing apparatus accesses said third information providing apparatus through the Internet, on the basis of said extracted address information.
 7. An information providing method of an information providing system comprising an information processing apparatus for receiving first information and second information to be made reference to by said first information, a first information providing apparatus for providing said first information, a second information providing apparatus for providing said second information, and a third information providing apparatus for holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information, said information providing method characterized by: said first information providing apparatus providing said information processing apparatus with said first information for making reference to said second information; said information processing apparatus receiving said first information from said first information providing apparatus, receiving said second information being made reference to by the received first information from said second information providing apparatus, extracting address information for accessing said third information providing apparatus from said received second information, accessing said third information providing apparatus on the basis of said extracted address information and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information, and controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information according to said received determination result; said third information providing apparatus holding said authentication information, making a determination based on said held authentication information when accessed from said information processing apparatus and providing said determination result to said information processing apparatus.
 8. An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: first receiving means for receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; second receiving means for receiving second information being made reference to by said first information received by said first receiving means, from a second information providing apparatus; extracting means for extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from said second information received by said second receiving means; third receiving means for accessing said third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information on the basis of said address information extracted by said extracting means, and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information; and control means for controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information, according to said determination result received by said third receiving means.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first receiving means receives network contents provided by said first information providing apparatus through the Internet as said first information, said second receiving means receives broadcast contents broadcast by said second information providing apparatus as said second information.
 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said extracting means extracts said address information from a BIT of a broadcast signal of said broadcast contents broadcast by said second information providing apparatus.
 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said third receiving means receives a list of said second information allowed for a reference by said first information, from said third information providing apparatus as said determination result.
 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said third receiving means receives information representative of whether or not a reference to said second information by said first information is allowed, from said third information providing apparatus as said determination result.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said third receiving means receives a determination result provided by said third information providing apparatus through the Internet.
 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display control means for displaying said second information received by said second receiving means simultaneously with said first information received by said first receiving means, according to said determination result received by said third receiving means.
 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising display control means for simultaneously displaying said network contents received by said first receiving means and said broadcast contents received by said second receiving means being made reference to by said network contents, on a same screen according to said determination result received by said third receiving means.
 16. An information processing method characterized by comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by said first information received by a process of said first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from said second information received by a process of said second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information, on the basis of said address information extracted by a process of said extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information, according to said determination result received by a process of said third receiving step.
 17. A recording medium recording a program to be read out by a computer, characterized by comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus; a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by said first information received by a process of said first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from said second information received by a process of said second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing the third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information, on the basis of said address information extracted by a process of said extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information, according to said determination result received by a process of said third receiving step.
 18. A program characterized for a computer to execute a process, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from a first information providing apparatus, a second receiving step of receiving second information being made reference to by said first information received by a process of said first receiving step, from a second information providing apparatus; an extracting step of extracting address information for accessing a third information providing apparatus from said second information received by a process of said second receiving step; a third receiving step of accessing said third information providing apparatus holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to said second information by said first information, on the basis of said address information extracted by a process of said extracting step, and receiving a determination result based on said authentication information; and a control step of controlling a reference to said second information based on said first information, according to said determination result received by a process of said third receiving step.
 19. An information providing apparatus characterized by comprising: holding means for holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; accepting means for accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing said first information and said second information; determining means for making a determination based on said authentication information held by said holding means when an access from said information processing apparatus is accepted by said accepting means; and transmitting means for transmitting a determination result by said determining means to said information processing apparatus.
 20. The information providing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said accepting means accepts an access from said information processing apparatus through the Internet.
 21. The information providing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first information is network contents to be provided through the Internet, said second information is broadcast contents to be provided by broadcast.
 22. The information providing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a broadcast signal for broadcasting said broadcast contents includes address information for accessing said information providing apparatus in a BIT thereof.
 23. The information providing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said transmitting means transmits a list of said second information allowed for a reference by said first information as said determination result.
 24. The information providing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said transmitting means transmits information representative of whether or not a reference to said second information by said first information is allowed as said determination result.
 25. An information providing method characterized by comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing said first information and said second information; a determining step of making a determination based on said authentication information held by a process of said holding step when an access from said information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of said accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of said determining step to said information processing apparatus.
 26. A recording medium recording a program to be read out by a computer characterized by comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing said first information and said second information; a determining step of making a determination based on said authentication information held by a process of said holding step when an access from said information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of said accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of the determining step to the information processing apparatus.
 27. A program characterized by making a computer to execute a process comprising: a holding step of holding authentication information concerning authenticating a reference to second information based on first information; an accepting step of accepting an access from an information processing apparatus utilizing said first information and said second information; a determining step of making a determination based on said authentication information held by a process of said holding step when an access from said information processing apparatus is accepted by a process of said accepting step; and a transmitting step of transmitting a determination result by a process of said determining step to said information processing apparatus. 